Anaheim Ducks center Nate Thompson has had to take a winding road to become a full-time NHL player, but the former Bruins prospect has carved out a solid role on one of the best teams in the Western Conference.Thompson was selected by the Bruins in the sixth round of the 2003 draft, and spent the next four years in the organization.

COLUMBUS, Ohio – Before making the NHL as a 22-year-old after time served in junior hockey and the American Hockey League, Nate Thompson had already embraced what was going to allow him to get there and stay. Scoring goals and making highlight-reel...